Forest of Dean

Forest of Dean's population grew older in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in religion and health.

The population reached nearly 82,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Forest of Dean increased by 2.5%, from almost 80,000 to 82,000.

The addition of almost 2,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Forest of Dean was home to, on average, 1.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Forest of Dean

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Forest of Dean increased by four years, from 41 to 45 years.

This rural area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 3,200 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 3,000.

About 14% of people in Forest of Dean are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Forest of Dean by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disablity in Forest of Dean

This area saw the South West's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

Across the region, only Torbay saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 4.1% to 5.3%).

Every local authority area across the South West saw a rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability, as the regional average grew from 3.0% to 3.7%.

In 2011, just over 1 in 25 (4.1%) in Forest of Dean reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 3.1% in 2001. The percentage who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 7.5% to 7.7%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Forest of Dean

The number of people in Forest of Dean that described themselves as Christian increased from just under 62,000 in 2001 to just under 54,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 77% to 66% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the South West (from 74% to 60%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in Forest of Dean that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 11,000 in 2001 to about 21,000 in 2011 (from 14% to 25%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from about 6,700 to about 6,500 (from 8.4% to 7.9%).

Just over 440 people (0.3%) said they identified with a religion other than Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or Sikhism, up from just over 220 in 2001 (0.5%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in Forest of Dean decreased by 11 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Forest of Dean by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes without children

This area saw the South West's second-largest rise in the proportion of households without children.

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly saw a greater rise in the proportion of households without children (from 69% to 74%).

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

During this period, Forest of Dean fell below Swindon and Wiltshire to become the South West local authority area with the fifth-lowest percentage of households without children.

In 2011, just over 6 in 10 (63%) households in Forest of Dean had no children, compared with 60% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 30% to 26%.

The proportion of households without children was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that without children across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Fall in social renting

This area saw the South West's second-largest fall in the proportion of socially rented homes.

Across the region, only Plymouth saw a greater fall in the proportion of socially rented homes (from 21% to 19%).

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) households in Forest of Dean lived in social housing, compared with 14% in 2001. The percentage of privately rented homes increased from 6.9% to 11%.

The rate of social housing was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that that rented socially across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links